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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Parenting Pointers: Data Security Tips

Bill Carey, VP of Marketing for
RoboForm, the popular password manager has compiled a few tips to help strengthen your data security.

1.Strengthen your password: The
best strategy for protecting your information is to use a strong
password that contains upper and lowercase letters as well
as numbers and symbols. Consider using numbers and symbols that
resemble letters to strengthen your password while keeping it easy to
recall, e.g., “B@seb@11” instead of “baseball.”

2.Use a different password for each secure site and change it every 30-60 days: When
a data breach occurs, cyber criminals often sell the information to
third
parties before the theft is detected. If you change your password
regularly, you’ll have a better chance of ensuring that a new login
protocol is in effect when the third-party buyer tries to use your
password.

3.Password-protect mobile phones and tablets: Many
people these days use their personal devices for work, and if the
device is lost or stolen, cyber thieves
may be able to log in and collect sensitive company data – as well as
personal account information. Use a strong password on all of your
devices to keep information safer.

4.Don’t fall for phishing scams: So-called
“phishing” scams occur when a cyber thief calls or emails while posing
as a banking or merchant account official
and attempts to collect login information. A sophisticated scammer can
create a website that looks very much like a legitimate site. Never give
out account information via email or over the phone.

5.Don’t leave desktops or laptops unattended in the office with a browser open: It
only takes a few seconds for someone to use an open browser to collect
login
information and copy passwords, so make sure to shut down the browser
or lock your screen if you’re going to be away from your computer, even
for just a minute or two.

6.Make sure employees know how to keep company information safe: In
the “bring your own device” (BYOD) era, it’s more important than ever
to make sure team
members understand how to operate safely online using their own devices
or company equipment. Provide employees with the training and resources
they need to operate devices safely.